NEW PALESTINE
Jane C. Hempel, 81, of New Palestine, Indiana entered into rest April 30, 2024, after being diagnosed less than a month earlier of Pancreatic Cancer. She was kindhearted and full of grace, always thinking of others before herself, and never saying an unkind word about anyone. The world will not be the same without this beautiful, graceful lady.
Jane was born August 1, 1942, in Lawrence County, Tennessee to Mattie Ivanell (Bivens) Tidwell and Thomas Douglas Tidwell. She graduated from Lawence County High School in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and married Teddy H. Coleman. Jane and Ted moved from Tennessee to Indianapolis, having three children in the 1960’s: Diana, Teddi, and Tracy.
Work at Western Electric on the assembly line began in 1960, though Jane took short breaks in her career there for maternity leaves with her 3 children. When the Western Electric facility in Indianapolis closed in the early eighties, she decided to stay in Indiana instead of transferring to another facility out of state so that she could stay close to family. Jane then worked as a rural mail carrier for the United States Post Office starting in 1988, retiring in 2007. She started selling Shaklee nutritional products in 1975, was active for over 45 years, and reached Director level.
Jane had steadfast faith – a strong believer in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirt. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Indianapolis since 1974. After retirement she remained very active in the church, volunteering at the food pantry, Trunk and Treat, Easter egg hunts and ushering concerts.
Being by the water was a calming, peaceful place for Jane. She spent many years at Brookville Lake on her houseboat “Wits End” and several houseboat trips on the Tennessee River. For the last 8 winters, she has visited Florida where she enjoyed time on the beach next to the gulf.
She was predeceased by her mother, father, brother Virgil Tidwell, and husband Theodore “Ted” Hempel, Jr.
She is survived by Randy Burton; her 3 children: Diana Jane Burtnett (Earl), Teddi Rolland Thurman, Tracy Leigh Coleman (Christina Weaver); 4 grandchildren: Charles Rolland (Brittany), Amber Rolland (James Hornung), Ellei Coleman, and Desiree Thurman; 4 great grandchildren: Chase Rolland, Rayeanna McIlquham, Mia Miller, Kyla Rolland, and 2 sisters Cora “Inell” Downey of Caliente, California and Betty Mott of Millington, Tennessee.
Her contagious optimism, encouragement, motivation, and cheerfulness will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
